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Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage is set to rejoin the team on Saturday morning ahead of their Super Four clash against Bangladesh in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 after going back home following the death of his father.
The 22-year-old returned home after hearing about his father, Suranga Wellalage’s, sudden passing.
Wellalage discovered his father’s death only after the match, which Sri Lanka won by six wickets and with eight balls to spare, allowing them to qualify for the Super Four round.
Surranga Wellalage was also a former cricketer who had led Sri Lanka’s leading school teams.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed his availability for selection ahead of their first match in the Super Fours of the continental tournament. The Islanders will play Bangladesh tomorrow evening in Dubai.
“Dunith Wellalage, who returned home to pay his last respects to his late father, will rejoin the team tomorrow morning,” the board said in a statement.
“He will travel to the UAE tonight accompanied by Team Manager Mahinda Halangode. “Sri Lanka will begin its Super Four stage campaign of the ongoing tournament tomorrow against Bangladesh in the UAE. Wellalage will be available for selection for the game,” it added.
The all-rounder is accompanied by team manager Mahina Halangode, who traveled back home with him on Thursday night.
For context, Dunith Wellalage is considered one of Sri Lanka’s emerging talents. However, he did not have the best of the outings in the game against Afghanistan. He remained expensive and conceded 49 runs and took one wicket in his quota of four overs.
Afghanistan were reeling at 137-7 in 19 overs. However, Mohammad Nabi tonked Wellalage for five sixes,an over yielding 32 runs, and took his team to a respectable total.
However, the total was not enough as Sri Lanka chased down the target against a strong Afghanistan bowling lineup with ease in 18.4 overs, losing just four wickets in the process.
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